I am just posting this up for those that are looking at a clutch install. I had it installed by Chris at GV Auto in Horsham PA. All parts were ordered from ETS. Michael is an absolute joy to work with. Always takes calls and answers all questions. Thanks for getting everythign in time Michael. Following have been my observations:

1) The chatter on the twin is evident but not unbearable by any means.
2) I am glad Chris finished everything in time. Dropped the car at 9:00 sharp and got it back at 5:45 -- 6:00. He did a bang up job doing the job in the promised timeframe
3) Got the pill removed, so engagement is really low. I stalled thrice trying to pull out from GV's lot. But I was fine by the second or third light I stopped at.
4) Chris was kind enough to take pictures of everything when it was opened up, on my request.
5) he also gave me back all the stock parts for pictures sake.
6) He also said there were no signs of wear and tear apart from the normal, he said even my diff pins looked good given there were almost 27K miles on it. He's seen worse apparently for so many miles.
7) He aslo suggested strongly suggested against any dyno pulls before piling 200 miles or so. I'm just gonna take his word for it.
8) He also noticed that my front mount bolt was loose (Finger loose). Mitsu Failsause here. Had all mounts changed under warranty at 14K miles for cracked bushings on stock vehicle. Never going to dealership again. This took care of some clunky noises from under the hood which I thougt was because of my suspension going bad. Glad to know Suspension is fine. Chris was kind enough to tighten it up and check the other mounts as well.


I bought the car in March 2008 and I had about 27K miles before I started experiencing slippage. Following are a videos of this slippage. I was on WOT in both situation in about 67F weather in the morning.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET3uB_2_nJc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7CZf-zAcTI

Following are pictures of the old Stuff after the Clutch Swap

MC and Plunger


Center Diff Pins


Clutch Internals 1


Clutch Internals 2


Clutch Internals 3 (That's a quarter in there for idea of thickness)


Clutch Internals 4




Stock Clutch Line


Tranny Pulled out


Center Diff







Carnage


Clutch Line



NEW PARTS INSTALL


Buschur Diff Pins


OEM Throwout Bearing


Exedy Twin HD




SSP MC , Plunger and components






Clutch Install




SSP MC/Plunger Install

 

WOW you certainly don't do anything by-halves me likey!!

Bad luck on the clutch - but 27k isn't too bad...

Where the pins just a swap type job - or did you need to machine/shim stuff?

 

Not too sure, hope chris can give some input.

I'm actually thinking good luck, the motor mount issue might have come to light in a very dangerous way if the car din't need to be in the shop for this.

 

I wouldn't do any pulls / get into really high RPM's at all for at least 550 miles.

Exedy recommends doing a clutch break-in for at least 500 miles. Not just going 500 highway miles - but like stop and go traffic 500 miles.



-Bink

 

Yeah, I plan on taking excessively busy routes through downtown philly for no reason just for this. I can't wait to get some duno pulls / custom tune done. I have ETS parts waiting to be installed this weekend. Another thread coming soon!!! I'm gonna be driving a LOT this week.

 

The pin install wasn't bad. Just had to split the trans cases open, pull out the center diff, and take it apart. Once in there, the retaining pins come out easily followed by the diff pins. The gear stacks themselves don't need to come apart so no re-shimming is required.

 

About how many hours of labor would you say that job was? I'm looking at having it done.

Looks good! I've got the same clutch and love it. I was on the dyno at 600 miles and I really don't have any chatter or anything with the clutch. I also had the pill removed and am loving the new engagement point. I killed it coming out of the parking spot my first time driving it though haha.

I also retained the stock CMC. I'll have to keep track of how long it holds up. Hopefully it never fails.

 

Roughly 2 hours on top of the clutch job including inspecting the guts of the trans.

 

Please use the AMS reinforcement ring for the MC at the very least. I'd hate for you to be stranded in the middle of nowhere because your MC Broke.

Thanks for answering the questions Chris.

 

Thanks Chris,

in your opinion is this something 'a guy with a socket set' could do? or are there specialised tools involved?

shops in my area would (and do) charge an arm and a leg for this sort of stuff

 

I don't doubt you "could" as long as you're mechanically inclined. They key is being able to take the trans apart and remember how it goes back together. I always recommend people take pictures of how things look prior to disassembly so they have some reference to work with as they put it back together (i.e. gear stack orientation, shift rail location and orientation, etc).

 

Tephra, you're in Melbourne, Isn't MRT there in Melbourne too? How much do they charge? I used to live in Melbourne on the Frankston line near Bentleigh, so I kind of have an idea.

Judging just by the pictures, I knew I never would've been able to do this myself. I'm glad I had a professional do it. But if you're okay dealing with all that carnage, you should be one hell of a mechanic. As for the tools needed, I'll let Chris answer that.

 

MRT are in Sydney.

There are a couple of good evo shops in Melbourne (in no particular order - TMR, RE's, Techsport, Chasers) BUT they would charge a decent amount, especially for trans removal..

So are you an Aussie or American expat thats moved back?

Yeah I like todo as much myself as possible... I really need a hoist at home but my better half would kill me I think

 

Good advice...

Well if and when the time comes (ie clutch install) then I will consider it properly

 

CatalysGod, would you mind sending me a PM what you paid for all this work. Just the labor, I know the parts costs. I'm wanting to do the same thing, but dont have a clue what the install should cost. Thanks